Russell Paul Wortley (born 21 April 1957)[1] is an Australian politician who has served in the South Australian Legislative Council for the Australian Labor Party since the 2006 South Australian state election. He was President of the South Australian Legislative Council from 2014 to 2018.

Russell Wortley
President of the South Australian Legislative Council
In office
6 May 2014 – 3 May 2018
Preceded byJohn Gazzola
Succeeded byAndrew McLachlan
Minister for Industrial Relations
In office
23 June 2011 – 21 January 2013
PremierMike Rann
Jay Weatherill
Preceded byPaul Holloway
Succeeded byJohn Rau
Member of the South Australian Legislative Council
Assumed office
18 March 2006
Preceded byTerry Cameron
Councillor for the City of Prospect
In office
2 May 1987 – 1 May 1993
ConstituencyFitzroy
Personal details
Born (1957-04-21) 21 April 1957 (age 67)
Political partyAustralian Labor Party (SA)
SpouseDana Wortley

Early life

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Wortley worked as a plumber and gas fitter before being elected as a union official in 1984.[2] He is a former head of the Gas sub-branch of the Transport Workers Union in South Australia.[3] He was a councillor for the Fitzroy Ward of the Prospect City Council from 1987 to 1993.[4][2] He has served as a member of a number of government and community organisations including the Occupational Health and Safety Commission, the Workers Appeal Tribunal and the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee. He is a Justice of the Peace.[5]

Parliament

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First elected to the Legislative Council in the 2006 South Australian state election, Wortley was re-elected at the 2014 election for a second eight-year term, and again in the 2022 election for a third eight-year term.[6]

Wortley's policy interests include education, health, industrial relations, aged care, environment and natural resources.[5] Wortley has served in many committees and select committees, and served as Minister for Industrial Relations and State/Local Government Relations from 2011 to 2013.[6]

He served as President of the South Australian Legislative Council from 6 May 2014 until 3 May 2018.[6][7]

Personal life

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Wortley is married to fellow state Labor politician Dana Wortley. They have one son.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Birth anniversaries". The Advertiser. 3 December 1991.
  2. ^ a b c "Rann creates post for Russell Wortley after replacing Bernard Finnigan". Adelaide Now. AAP. 23 June 2011.
  3. ^ Mayne, Stephen (25 January 2006). "Tracking the unionists in parliament". Crikey. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  4. ^ "City of Prospect" (PDF). The South Australian Government Gazette. 18 April 1985.
  5. ^ a b "South Australian Labor Party | Policies For the Future". SA Labor.
  6. ^ a b c "Russell Wortley MLC". Members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Wortley given nod as Upper House president". 29 April 2014 – via www.abc.net.au.
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Parliament of South Australia
Preceded by Member of the South Australian Legislative Council
2006–present
Served alongside: Multiple Members
Incumbent
South Australian Legislative Council
Preceded by President of the
South Australian Legislative Council

2014–2018
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Industrial Relations
2011–2013
Succeeded by
Minister for State / Local Government Relations
2011–2013
Succeeded by